Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has predicted that Newcastle United will suffer their second loss of the season in their next home fixture against Chelsea this weekend.
Merson admitted that the Magpies have struggled so far this season, and that the Blues will take advantage by taking all three points in the clubs’ third outing of the campaign.
He believes that Maurizio Sarri’s team will take home a 2-1 win to make it three wins from three so far, and that United will be stuck with just one point on the board after this match.
“I think Newcastle are struggling. Why did they let Kenedy take the penalty against Cardiff? He was having a nightmare. There’s a bit of a feeling around Newcastle at the moment, and I think Chelsea will take advantage,” he told Sky Sports.
“Chelsea don’t look amazing at the back, Arsenal ripped them apart at times, but Newcastle don’t have what Arsenal have going forward. I just can’t see Newcastle picking them off here. Away win.”
OPINION
Paul Merson has based this recent prediction on Newcastle’s recent performances, which have been rather disappointing to say the least. They were rather unlucky against Tottenham in their first match, but they should have dominated more in last weekend’s clash with Cardiff, especially as they have only just been promoted this season. However, Merson seems to have forgotten how United dismantled the Blues 3-0 in the last fixture of the 2017/2018 campaign, and there is no reason why they cannot do that again. Kenedy may not be eligible against his parent club, but Rafa Benitez has the likes of Salomon Rondon to call upon in this game, and he must do so to defeat a reignited Chelsea team. A draw seems the more probable score line here, but it would not be surprising to see Sarri’s men take advantage of United’s form so far. Benitez is good at setting up his teams against the Premier League top six though, and this is something Chelsea must bear in mind.
